Alumni Pommells and Craige Pick Up CIS Awards

News Archive

AJHL Announces Top 50 Players of All-Time

Posted January 18th, 2014 @ 11:40 am

â€‹The Alberta Junior Hockey League is proud to announce the Top 50 AJHL Players of All-Time following months of online voting and over 5,000 votes cast. The Top 50 List includes ten players from each decade and is filled with NHL alumni, current NHL superstars and some of the biggest names in Canadian hockey history!

Forty-three players on the Top 50 List went on to play in the National Hockey League (NHL) following their AJHL careers. Eight have won the coveted Stanley Cup Trophy, including Mike Vernon, Lanny McDonald, Mark Messier and Steve Reinprecht. A total of nineteen AJHL Alumni have won the coveted Stanley Cup since 1980.

Thirteen current NHL players have been selected as members of the Top 50 AJHL Players of All-Time. Chris Phillips, Dany Heatley, Mason Raymond, Mark Letestu, Joe Colborne and Scottie Upshall are amongst the players in this category. Twenty AJHL alumni played in the NHL during the 2012-2013 season, including one player in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals, who is also on the Top 50 List (Wade Redden).

The Top 50 AJHL Players of All-Time also reflects a strong tie to the league’s Alberta roots as four members of the Sutter family have earned their spots as one of the greatest players in AJHL history – Brian Sutter, Duane Sutter, Brent Sutter and Darryl Sutter. Three current NHL players on the Top 50 List are members of Alberta’s Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. Current Fort McMurray Oil Barons Head Coach, Gord Thibodeau, has also secured a spot in the Top 50 for his time as a player in the league.

“The Alberta Junior Hockey League is proud to recognize this unique and diverse group of athletes as its’ Top 50 Players of All-Time and is honored to have contributed to their development and illustrious careers,” said League Commissioner and AJHL alumnus Ryan Bartoshyk. “These fifty players epitomize the opportunity available by competing in the AJHL and embody the spirit of our League.”

The Top 10 Players from each decade were determined through a series of online voting stages throughout the opening months of the 2013-2014 season. Fans were encouraged to vote based on the individual player’s achievements during their time in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and their accomplishments after graduating from the league.

Top 50 AJHL Players of All-Time:

2004 -2013

Mason Raymond, Camrose Kodiaks

Joe Colborne, Camrose Kodiaks

Matt Frattin, Fort Saskatchewan Traders

Corban Knight, Okotoks Oilers

T. J. Galiardi, Calgary Royals

Ben Scrivens, Spruce Grove Saints

Mark Letestu, Bonnyville Pontiacs

Dylan Olsen, Camrose Kodiaks

Justin Fontaine, Bonnyville Pontiacs

Taylor Fedun, Spruce Grove Saints

1994 – 2003

Dany Heatley, Calgary Canucks

Mike Comrie, St. Albert Saints

Curtis Glencross, Brooks Bandits

Rene Bourque, St. Albert Saints

Chris Phillips, Fort McMurray Oil Barons

Fernando Pisani St. Albert Saints

Mark Bomersback, Canmore Eagles

Scottie Upshall, Fort McMurray Oil Barons

Scott Hartnell, Lloydminster Blazers

Steve Reinprecht, St. Albert Saints

1984 – 1993

Zarley Zalapski, Fort Saskatchewan

Wade Redden, Lloydminster Blazers

Stu Barnes, St. Albert Saints

Gary Valk, Sherwood Park

Dixon Ward, Red Deer Rustlers

Brad Werenka, Fort Saskatchewan Traders

Garry Shuchuk, St. Albert Saints

Glen Wesley, Red Deer Rustlers

Gord Thibodeau, Fort Saskatchewan Traders

Corey Hirsch, Calgary Canucks

1974 - 1983

Brent Sutter Red Deer Rustlers

Mark Messier, Spruce Grove Mets

Darryl Sutter, Red Deer Rustlers

Duane Sutter, Red Deer Rustlers

Kelly Kisio, Red Deer Rustlers

Dave Babych, Fort Saskatchewan Traders

Clint Malarchuk, Fort Saskatchewan

Troy Murray, St. Albert Saints

Perry Berezan, St. Albert Saints

Mike Vernon, Calgary Canucks

1964 - 1973

Brian Sutter, Red Deer

Garry Unger, Calgary Buffaloes

Lanny McDonald, Lethbridge Sugar Kings

John Davidson, Lethbridge Sugar Kings

Stan Weir, Ponoka Stampeders

Paul Messier, Edmonton Mets

Doug Lindskog, Red Deer Rustlers

Tom Lindskog, Red Deer Rustlers

Rick Zaparniuk, Calgary Canucks

Darrell Knibbs Lethbridge Sugar Kings

The AJHL will celebrate its storied history across Alberta throughout the 2013-2014 season. Join the AJHL in celebrating history, volunteerism, community spirit and great Junior A hockey!